Voters say ‘Yes' to Ohana Kauai Charter amendment
Kauai Garden Island News
By Chris Cook, Lester Chang - The Garden Island
The voters have spoken on how to reform Kaua‘i County's property tax system.
In perhaps the biggest surprise for Kaua‘i on election night 2004, the Ohana Kauai group's property tax reform County Charter amendment won by an overwhelming majority in Tuesday's general election.
It was the first initiative measure to make the ballot on Kaua‘i in 20 years.
"I think the people have spoken and I think this is a wake up call to every member of the Council," said Ohana Kauai member Monroe Richman of Po‘ipu.
Richman, a retired physician, said the group may expand their efforts into other areas of county operations they see as malfeasant.
"Ohana Kauai will not go away," he said, citing infrastructure, "unfettered development without charging developers sufficient fees to buy affordable housing," and addressing the problem of solid waste as possible focus areas.
"Ohana Kauai will be back again and again and again," he said.
"I would like to thank the Ohana group members who have worked so hard toward the adoption of the measure," said Walter Lewis, a retired businessman from Princeville who played a key role in drafting the proposal and getting it on the ballot. "I would like to thank the voters who have supported it. And I would like to invite the County to recognize the will of the people and join us to implement the amendment which will benefit so many of the citizens of our island."
The Ohana Kauai proposal advocates reducing property taxes for residents who occupy their homes to the tax amount they paid in 1998.
The initiative also would limit tax increases to 2 percent a year in 2006, a year after the proposal would take effect.
The amendment has found opposition from Mayor Bryan Baptiste, the County Council, the Kaua‘i chapter of SHOPO, the statewide police officers union, and other organizations, their argument being that adoption of the measure would result in significant revenue losses to the county, thereby leading to layoff of county employees and cutback in services.
Former Council Chair Ron Kouchi announced his backing of the Ohana Kauai amendment last week.
He said he feels it will do a better job of helping longtime property owners from being taxed off their properties, without setting back county operations.
Kaua‘i County officials have asked a judge to make a determination on the legality of the proposal, based on inquires from the Baptiste's administration and the council, led by councilchairman Kaipo Asing.
Lewis said he is astounded that the council and county administration are looking into the matter so close to the election.
He said, I would be very disappointed if they choose the legal avenue to oppose the voters on this measure; the people have spoken learn to respect them.
County officials contend the proposed charter amendment, if adopted, would illegally interfere with the taxing authority of the county. A determination by a judge is pending.
If the judge determines the proposal is illegal, Ohana Kauai leaders will very likely appeal the ruling, Lewis said.
Voters say ‘Yes' to Ohana Kauai Charter amendment
By Chris Cook, Lester Chang - The Garden Island
The voters have spoken on how to reform Kaua‘i County's property tax system.
In perhaps the biggest surprise for Kaua‘i on election night 2004, the Ohana Kauai group's property tax reform County Charter amendment won by an overwhelming majority in Tuesday's general election.
It was the first initiative measure to make the ballot on Kaua‘i in 20 years.
"I think the people have spoken and I think this is a wake up call to every member of the Council," said Ohana Kauai member Monroe Richman of Po‘ipu.
Richman, a retired physician, said the group may expand their efforts into other areas of county operations they see as malfeasant.
"Ohana Kauai will not go away," he said, citing infrastructure, "unfettered development without charging developers sufficient fees to buy affordable housing," and addressing the problem of solid waste as possible focus areas.
"Ohana Kauai will be back again and again and again," he said.
"I would like to thank the Ohana group members who have worked so hard toward the adoption of the measure," said Walter Lewis, a retired businessman from Princeville who played a key role in drafting the proposal and getting it on the ballot. "I would like to thank the voters who have supported it. And I would like to invite the County to recognize the will of the people and join us to implement the amendment which will benefit so many of the citizens of our island."
The Ohana Kauai proposal advocates reducing property taxes for residents who occupy their homes to the tax amount they paid in 1998.
The initiative also would limit tax increases to 2 percent a year in 2006, a year after the proposal would take effect.
The amendment has found opposition from Mayor Bryan Baptiste, the County Council, the Kaua‘i chapter of SHOPO, the statewide police officers union, and other organizations, their argument being that adoption of the measure would result in significant revenue losses to the county, thereby leading to layoff of county employees and cutback in services.
Former Council Chair Ron Kouchi announced his backing of the Ohana Kauai amendment last week.
He said he feels it will do a better job of helping longtime property owners from being taxed off their properties, without setting back county operations.
Kaua‘i County officials have asked a judge to make a determination on the legality of the proposal, based on inquires from the Baptiste's administration and the council, led by councilchairman Kaipo Asing.
Lewis said he is astounded that the council and county administration are looking into the matter so close to the election.
He said, I would be very disappointed if they choose the legal avenue to oppose the voters on this measure; the people have spoken learn to respect them.
County officials contend the proposed charter amendment, if adopted, would illegally interfere with the taxing authority of the county. A determination by a judge is pending.
If the judge determines the proposal is illegal, Ohana Kauai leaders will very likely appeal the ruling, Lewis said.
posted by DP at 9:24 PM
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